Preference Points when I retire :)

[Deone]

I'm only 35 but want to bank point so when I retire, I can actually hunt. I'm a teacher and coach 3 sports, so my falls and winters are very busy, cannot hunt much at all. There is no way I could squeeze an out of state hunt into my life right now.

My question is, what states do I really need to start banking points for.

Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico.....? ? ? ?

For most states, can you buy points, or do you actually have to apply for a tag.

I know I could spend days on each state's division's web page but thought I would be way more informational and interesting to hear your opinions and ideas.

Thanks,
Deone Horinek

 

[azbiggame]

Nevada ... is a state that gets it for most Hunters,now and in their/your future or should be ...

 

[Utah400Elk]

I don't think NM has points. If they have started I missed it.

Utah is a good place for points but their deer herd is hurting. There are a few units where the deer hunting is 2nd to none but if you don't already have max points you have should buy lottery tickets instead of deer points

If you are after deer Colorado and AZ are great. I have 14 elk points as a NR in CO and still don't have the hunt I want. When I am done in CO elk I will only put in for deer. I am about (I hope with 14 or 15 NR points) to draw an AZ unit 9 archery elk and will rebuild points there after I draw for late rilfe elk hunts. The AZ early 12A hunts can be had as a NR with about 7 points. There is great potential but the hunts are very hard.

NV seems like a good place for long points and I will start building them this year.

Wyoming point system is a little jacked up IMO. If you are after one of the best units I don't think you will ever draw. That being said there are great hunts available for NR with less than max points.

 

[littlebighorn]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-10-12 AT 09:17AM (MST)[p]You are smart to build as many points as you can afford if you want to hunt lots of places when you retire. I have done that and I am very close to retirement and should draw several nice tags in the next few years. I cashed in my Colorado deer points last year with a great buck and Wyoming Antelope as well.
The problem with some is points are not cheap. Wyoming has become especially pricey and Nevada requires a $145ish license in order to build points. Colorado gives most of your money back but you still have to front the price of the tag. Utah is about the cheapest and can be done with a credit card and NM doesn't have points. AZ is good, but I have not participated there.
The point is choose what species you want to hunt then you are going to have to do your own research and see what you can afford. By the time you retire, you will have racked up a pretty good bill, but if you can bite the bullet, you will have some very good opportunities for some nice animals.
Good Luck

 

[llamapacker]

In theory you have a good plan, and CO, AZ, WY, NV and UT are the main states for preference point accumulation.

HOWEVER, many of these states have a history or dramatically altering their point systems, and expecting the systems to be the same in 20+ years is almost laughable. Truth is nobody knows what to expect in the long term, but I would bet on some major changes, whether for the better or worse depends on your viewpoint. Rarely have the draws systems gotten better for the nonresident, however.

And who knows what shape the herds will be in after several decades. I think getting into the points game only makes sense if you are planning to hunt in less than 10 years. Otherwise take your money and invest it wisely. The only thing that is almost garaunteed is that you will always be able to buy tags for top quality hunts.
Bill

 

[sagebrush]

I would throw Oregon in there too. It's not too expensive to bank points. There isn't much good hunting, outside of a few hard to draw hunts, in OR now, but that could change in 20 years and you would be in the catbird seat.

 

[BighornBreath]

>In theory you have a good
>plan, and CO, AZ, WY,
>NV and UT are the
>main states for preference point
>accumulation.
>
>HOWEVER, many of these states have
>a history or dramatically altering
>their point systems, and expecting
>the systems to be the
>same in 20+ years is
>almost laughable. Truth is nobody
>knows what to expect in
>the long term, but I
>would bet on some major
>changes, whether for the better
>or worse depends on your
>viewpoint. Rarely have the draws
>systems gotten better for the
>nonresident, however.
>
>And who knows what shape the
>herds will be in after
>several decades. I think getting
>into the points game only
>makes sense if you are
>planning to hunt in less
>than 10 years. Otherwise take
>your money and invest it
>wisely. The only thing that
>is almost garaunteed is that
>you will always be able
>to buy tags for top
>quality hunts.
>Bill

+1. Colorado is going to tweak the current draw system. It sounds like they are going to expand the hybrid system to include most limited licences. No figure set in stone but 35% seems to be the popular figure. Sheep, goat and moose are going to be tweaked sooner than later too. All the people bitching and moaning they have to do something.

 

[ColoradoOak]

>+1. Colorado is going to tweak
>the current draw system. It
>sounds like they are going
>to expand the hybrid system
>to include most limited licences.
>No figure set in stone
>but 35% seems to be
>the popular figure. Sheep, goat
>and moose are going to
>be tweaked sooner than later
>too. All the people bitching
>and moaning they have to
>do something.


Can you tell me where you heard about this? I'd like to read about it.

 

[tracker12]

To be honest I do not think saving points for retirement is a good propect in any of the States. It took me 21 years to draw my Colorado Unit 2 Elk tag. I started drawing for that tag when I was 40 and my first hunt day was on my 60th birthday. Now getting points and using them now while you are young and health is what I would recommend. The cost of gather points today is starting to be very expensive. My goal going forward is to grab a point or two and try to get to a unit that will give better than OTC odds.

 

[Triple_BB]

I'd also put about a $75 a month into an equities index mutual fund. You still won't be able to draw one of the more sought after tags in Utah or Colorado, but you will have enough cash to treat yerself to a couple of retirement celebration guided hunts...

 

[MEANTTOBBUCK]

Deone,

I was a teacher/coach and finished 37 years in education being an administrator. I understand your dilema yet I would try to find a way to hunt while you still are young enough to do it. After coaching football for 10 years in a excellent program I made the decision to give it up so I could hunt. I actually drove to a deer hunt and hunted all day and then drove back the next morning for films. Something had to give and for my family and hunting football was it. If you need help with AZ let me know.

Steve

 

[elkhunter57]

don"t wait i"m 56 with 21 elk points hunt small point unit life is too short

 

[Deone]

sounds like you guys have some great insight into this.

keeping track of dates, states, money etc sounds like a lot of work and a lot of money.

I think i will just save my money and hastle and buy a good tag somewhere. I've never been on a guided hunt, maybe that will be a good thing to do!

I appreciate it very much guys!

Deone Horinek

 

[Deone]

Maybe I just need to make some contacts with good OTC of short draw states for the future.

I have an unbelievable place to hunt if a NR can draw a tag.

Deone

 

[mntman]

It is a great idea if you don't set your sights on the most elite units... If you have the mind set to give you some terriffic DIY hunt options in multiple states with multiple species, then it will work. Personally I'd rather invest this money into a bunch of DIY hunts vs one or possibly 2 guided trips...
I am planning to hunt one or two high quality hunts every year once my kids get old and I have more money available. I will be sitting on anywhere from 10-15 points in multiple states. Do I expect to draw the "Henry Mountains" type tags, no but I will be hunting better quality hunts than leftovers and OTC's with a chance a drawing premium hunts inbetween.


Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

 

[nripepi]

I would really rethink things and get into the preference point game, at least for a few states and plan on going DIY when you retire. 20 points in Utah should get you a good deer and elk tag in 20 years and the cost is not that bad right now. Your license fee can be spread out over 2 years and you can get a bunch of other species than just deer and elk where 20 points might give u a decent chance of drawing or at least a chance.

I would also do Colorado for Deer and Elk and Wyoming for Elk, you should be able to rotate in some deer and antelope points every few years in Wyoming as well to build those up slowly without losing your points (7-10 of those should do the trick).

You should be able to pull this off for around $250 per year and I would think you would have 7-10 high quality hunts lined up and ready to go by then.

250*20=$5000 in points, probably the cost of one good guided hunt in 2032. Who knows how costs will change, but I think you should get in now while you can.

 

[desperatehills]

Deone, I had the exact same idea 8 years ago. I had just drawn a tag in my home state of Oregon that took 11 points to draw. I had a great hunt and wished I had 11 points everywhere. I started appying with the intention of building points for retirement. I became addicted to the application process, its much like gambling. Now I have 7 points all over and I am in line to draw some great hunts. Not every state and species will pan out, but you can't win if you don't play. And for the ones that don't work out, they will probally be offset along the way by drawing a tag against the odds. A 5 point Colorado mule deer hunt is better than any deer hunt in my home state. Some hunts are better now than they were 20 years ago. You can't predict the future of game herds but if there is a great hunt 15 years from now I want to have a chance at it. If you can afford to invest about $700 a year your hunting future will be bright in 10 years or so. You will be lined up for many good hunts that you can share with your family insted of buying one guided hunt. You will never get a Strip or Henries tag, most of us never will. But who knows where will be good down the road. Think of it as a investment in your hunting future.

 

[travishunter3006]

Utah
Colorado
Wyoming
Arizona
New Mexico


These are all good for Deer, Elk and Antelope.


WY, UT and CO are good for moose as well as sheep.


When do you plan on retiring? 20yrs should get you what you need in most states. Good luck!

 

[Deone]

Guess I have a little thinking to do.

I will NEVER have time to hunt during the fall on 2-3 point or OTC tags in other states.(because of coaching and teaching)

I will probably NEVER have enough money to apply for all the states that I want to. (because of coaching and teaching)

I love what I do but it sure does throw a hold on my passion.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Zim]

Deone,

I have been in the points games for 15 years in 10 states. As a result am now in high draw pools. However, what I have witnessed over that time would discourage me if I were in your position. The internet has made it easy for many more applicants to compete. But worst is the disturbing privitization of the public tags to auction, and expansion of outfitter and landowner tags. Every year it only gets worse. Never better. The points you buy each year are cheapened by untold special interest groups. They all have their hands in the cookie jar.

On top of that you have state's doing the same thing, slowly converting more tags each year to auction. Just like our state & federal taxes. How often do they get cut? They only increase. Hell my state nearly doubled the state income tax from 2010 to 2011. A tremendous amount of damage can be done to any points you buy in 20 years. There are no special interest groups fighting to retain point values.

20 years from now I suspect it will be much more practical to just buy LO tags every year as the value of public land points continue to diminish annually. I would not be surprised if by then the public land draws in some states will be a mere shadow of their former selves, with small quotas kept in place more as a token.

Just look at how the draw has morphed in Utah the last 10 years. Study the mathematics. A guy just joining in that game from ground zero now faces the equivalent of powerball odds for just a good, not great tag.

Just my honest long term opinion.


***********************************
Member RMEF, Pope & Young Club, UBNM, UWC & the SFW Hate Club

 

[BuzzH]

Its fine to build points, and I have a bunch of points in a lot of states.

That said, I met a guy one time that had a different outlook and one I agree with.

"Hunt while you can, many people wait until they retire...by then its too late for all kinds of reasons".

 

[Zim]

Ya definiely don't depend on built-up points for anything. Agree no need to wait til you retire. The mountains are physically demanding and you should take advantage of your energy & fitness while young. I staerted going waaaay before I could "afford" it. Also, a better use of points these days is to target some 3/4 point units that are decent, and hunt them repeatedly, getting to know them. That familiarity levels the playing field.

My favorite elk unit is a 30% draw/no point unit I know well.


***********************************
Member RMEF, Pope & Young Club, UBNM, UWC & the SFW Hate Club

 

[Rando]

Deone,
Maybe some people didn't really listen to what you said... You are a teacher and a coach and you CAN'T go hunting in the fall at this time in your life. I hear and respect that! I don't disagree with the advice of "hunt while you can cuz you never know what will happen to your health later", but that just isn't an option for you right now.
I am gonna make the assumption since this is in a "deer forum" that you are referring to building points for mule deer.
There are some good points about potential changes in the future,but I think you have to go at it as best as possible given what we know today.
Here is my two cents...
States you must build Mule Deer points in:
Colorado- money up front but a refund minus approx $25...great Mule deer state with good management plan and great opportunities.
Wyoming- $40 cost for pref pt. don't love their current management, but lots of pressure and concern over better mgmt plan in the future. Great genetics and hate to not have points if they ever turn things around for mule deer hunting in that state.
Utah- cheap state to build points in and they are on track to a better mgmt plan. Make sure you get points in both "general deer" and "limited entry". Can buy hunting license and work two years worth of pref/bonus pts if you play your cards right (your hunting license is good for 365 days and you only have to have a valid hunting license when you apply--and buy another if you draw)

Those are your "must build points in" states for an approx average cost of $135/year (if you work the Utah license right!).

Nevada- is a little more pricey, but I think a state worthy of building points (bonus points!) :-( But I do recommend. Will bump you up by approx $145/yr.

Arizona- I think is a waste of $$ for building points. From what I understand they don' offer many NR tags... And not cheap to build. I Don't waste my money there!

Oregon- I burned my points two years ago in that state and had a terrible hunt. They really don't manage for trophy, but rather opportunity. And, it is not cheap to build points. I would allocate this money towards that index fund (mentioned in earlier post) and use it later in life to buy a landowner voucher.

I don't think New Mexico lets you build points...?

If you live in CA you should also build points there. If you don't, then it is not worth the cost.

Of course prices will go up over time, but based on current costs, it would cost you $2700 over 20 years to build 20 points in each of the three states: CO, WY, and Utah.
And an additional $2900 (approx) for Nevada.

That seems like a cheap investment relative to current costs of landowner vouchers and the expected costs in the future!

Good luck to you and thank you for being a teacher and coach (no easy job in today's world).
Happy Holidays to all!

 

[Lien2]

I know it's easier said than done, but "DON'T GET SO BUSY MAKING A LIVING THAT YOU FORGET TO MAKE A LIFE." I would try to find a happy medium right now, get points where you can for now (AZ, CO, WY, UT) but at the same time try to find a hunt you can go on every couple of years right away. Life is short!

Lien2

 

[Zim]

>I know it's easier said than
>done, but "DON'T GET SO
>BUSY MAKING A LIVING THAT
>YOU FORGET TO MAKE A
>LIFE." I would try
>to find a happy medium
>right now, get points where
>you can for now (AZ,
>CO, WY, UT) but at
>the same time try to
>find a hunt you can
>go on every couple of
>years right away. Life
>is short!
>
>Lien2


I count my blessings every day that my job is so flexible. I drive around inspecting buildings all over Illinois & Wisconsin. Enter data on laptop. Go in to office if I want to. Nobody over me, nor under me. Make my own schedule. Combine hunting & fishing trips to get my mileage & hotels paid for. Just need to meet quota, that's it.

Great retirement job, which is good for me since I'll never retire due to parasitic ex-wife from hell.


***********************************
Member RMEF, Pope & Young Club, UBNM, UWC & the SFW Hate Club

 

[huntazido]

I am a high school teacher(17 years)so I know what you are going through. I love teaching but my passion is hunting and being in the outdoors. After teaching a few years I decided against coaching because it took too much time from family and hunting.

I am only building points in Wyoming which I currently have max points for deer and elk. My goal is to treat myself to a quality mule deer hunt and elk when I retire. I'm 49 now and should retire when I'm 63. Until then, I'm trying to hunt as much as I can in my home state of Arizona. AZ has a lot of OTC opportunities for bowhunters.

I have found the problem with teaching is getting time off. Most of my hunts are Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

If you decide to build points in AZ I would be willing to help you with a hunt strategy that may work for you. I think I can help you with hunting now or in near future and work around your teaching/coaching schedule. As an AZ native, I know and understand AZ's draw system quite well.
my email: [email protected]

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

John

 

[Rando]

Deone,
Check out the MM "classified ads" forum right now and consider spending $40 for the "Huntin Fool magazines for sale".
I believe it would be a good investment for you!
You could read up on the different states, costs, and Pref Pts vs Bonus Points.